Music / First LookStream Tove Styrke's attitude-packed ‘Borderline’The Swedish singer is strident amidst steel pans on her self-affirming new pop trackShareLink copied ✔️October 8, 2014MusicFirst LookTextAlim Kheraj If you’d asked who Tove Styrke sounded like back in 2010, the answer would have been a hybrid of Kylie Minogue’s sparkle and the heartfelt electro-pop of fellow Scandinavian singers such as Robyn or Margaret Berger. And while early cuts like “Call My Name” have become classics for devotees of Scandipop, the 21-year-old’s new single “Borderline” – her first since signing with Sony Music UK, and taken from an EP due next month – sets out a different mission statement. Much like Elliphant’s summery swag, “Borderline” takes you on a journey with carefree reggae-tinged beats, syncopated guitars and flecks of wildly-scattering instrumentation. Styrke’s attitude-packed vocals and post-chorus hook sit expertly against the tropical backdrop, with her waking up from what she calls "The Matrix of patriarchal dominance," finding self-identity amongst the confusion. “Society has taught me that there’s a limited space for me to grow within, a narrow idea of what I am supposed to be,” she explains. “I am free when I fully let go of the things that I, as a girl, have been taught to be throughout my life.” Tove Styrke plays New Shapes @ Notting Hill Arts Club, London (Nov 5) Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MORE2Slimey isn’t here to be a meme artist: ‘I want a fucking Grammy’ Nourished by Time: ‘Music should be fun – but it can’t be fun all the time’K-pop has an AI problemCoals are kickstarting Poland’s dream pop sceneEvilgiane’s camera roll from his tour with Snow StrippersFinnish alt-pop star Pehmoaino: ‘Art helps us survive this dark country’10 great albums you may have missed in the last three monthsLamb is making ‘electronic lyrical’ music that sounds like no one elseArabic shoegaze duo Kiss Facility speak a language deeper than words‘Nazis can’t dance’: Photos from London’s House Against Hate protest rave5 tracks you can’t miss from March 2026ADL: The best and worst tracks on Yeat’s new albumEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy